I saw a joke on Facebook where a man giving his interview to a potential boss. His boss said, “It was a good resume, but it was blank for 2020. What did you do then?” The man said, “I washed my hands!”
This has been 10 or so weeks of washing our hands. It is embedded in our brains to stay 6 feet apart. If you forget, there are marks on the floors of every store or arrows directing you in one direction. Openings are blocked off so you cannot wander all over the store. We line up for everything… 6 feet apart. Doors are locked as they only let a few people into each store. On “Your Morning” T.V. show, they have a segment that says It’s Thursday! They do this for every day of the week as our computers give us the date, but not the day.
Things are slowly starting to change. I went into Staples to send out a fax. There was sanitizer at the door and counters. Just a couple of weeks before, I had to order, then they would email to say my order was ready for pickup. I would wait in the parking lot and call the store with my order number and someone would bring it out then I would close the trunk. Face masks are being made and worn by so many people now, including myself. I remember not long ago seeing people in China always wearing face masks for their pollution… now it is throughout the world for Covid-19. I made my masks as I have seen how people with disposable ones leave them in carts and on the ground for others to pick up! A cloth mask is simple to wear and even easier to wash and dries quickly. Cloth masks are being sold for $10 through Wellspring. Many volunteers are helping to make them. You can now gather in groups of 5 or less but maintain distancing. Being outside is best.
Nursing homes and senior residences have been a major problem for years, but this virus has just highlighted the need for changes, especially to staffing issues/pay equity and having proper equipment. I am so glad the military went in and showed the country what P.S.W.’s have been trying to get changed for over 10 years. No one would listen. If staff spoke up, they were afraid they would be fired and often were.
If the ratio of staff to clients is low, simple things like a weekly shower will not happen. These homes and residences need to have regulatory bodies that make everyone accountable, especially the owners! Random checks to make sure this is happening are needed; however, they were discontinued by this current Provincial Government. Corners cannot be cut for the most vulnerable people in our society.
These seniors have been the supports for the whole country over the years. They worked and paid their taxes to keep all the government programs viable. They were often front line workers during their time and now need our help. They are our parents, grandparents and those with disabilities. They are family and should not be abandoned. There were our teachers of life. They were the leaders who gathered families together for holidays and cooked up a storm. They were our historians that connected us to our past and other ancestors. They made us laugh and cry. They cried at the birth of a new baby… a continuation of their legacy.
Let’s all work hard to help change these situations for our loved ones. Together we can make a difference.
I am again thinking of Nova Scotia as Captain Jennifer Casey lost her life on the 17th when the Snow Bird she was in crashed. The Snow Birds were helping Canadians who were sheltering at home to feel better as they crossed Canada. Nova Scotia, you have had your share of tragedies this year and our hearts go out to all of you.
This has certainly become an online world. I have Yoga weekly on Zoom. My Forest City Toastmasters meets together on Zoom every Thursday evening. Two of the groups I belong to just get together to see how we are doing. It is wonderful to see friends virtually when we cannot actually meet. Even watching the show “The Voice” was done remotely and gave some pretty masterful performances.
People continue to find hobbies that they have picked up, books they meant to read, gardening they have enjoyed and many have taken up cooking more and baking. Small acts of kindness are evident everywhere. People are helping out at the food banks. Students are now helping the farmers get their crops put in. Neighbours are going shopping for their elderly neighbours. I love seeing the videos of orchestras, and singers gathering remotely to perform free to help support their fellow man.
For the most part I have seen more patience as we all line up for this or that. It is a time to get to know someone if but briefly. I hope that we are becoming a kinder society. I hope too that we will continue to hold nature dear and be excited about some of the recoveries of species. I hope that we treasure things more when we do get to sit in our favourite restaurant or watch a concert. I truly will appreciate and love it when I can be together with and catch up with my family again and see my grandchildren whether by driving or by plane. I am truly grateful for Messenger and reading them stories. Most of all I look forward to the day that I can hug again. Until that time, I am sending you all virtual hugs.
If you need me for Reiki (animal or person) or to just talk please let me know. I am here for you.
